The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce hosted the 29th Annual Taste of Winter Park presented by CenturyLink on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, showcasing more than 40 of Central Florida’s top chefs, bakers, caterers and confectioners for a fun evening at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market.
All-inclusive tickets featured unlimited samples of signature dishes, refreshing beverages and decadent desserts.
The 29th Annual Taste of Winter Park included samplings from John Rivers’ new concept, The COOP and live entertainment from saxophonist Johnny Mag Sax, raffle prizes and more and lasted from 5 – 8:00 p.m, just barely enough time to try all the glorious food and beverage offerings!
More than 40 of the area’s finest restaurants served over 1,300 attendees with unlimited samples of unique culinary creations, steakhouse favorites, quality seafood, decadent desserts and a variety of coffees, teas, wine and beer.
“The Taste of Winter Park continues to be one of Central Florida’s best foodie events,” said Patrick Chapin, President/CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. “We’re proud to showcase the many fine dining opportunities in Winter Park and bring the community together for an unforgettable evening.”
Throughout the event, a select panel of judges from local media outlets sampled each menu item to determine the recipient of seven coveted awards. Judges included Pam Brandon and Katie Farmand, editors, Edible Orlando; Ricky Ly of TastyChomps.com; Megan Ribbens, web producer, Orlando Business Journal; Scott Richardson, food writer, The Park Press; and Mark Baratelli, owner/founder, TheDailyCity.com.
This year I was sad to note that Cask and Larder, Prato, Luma on Park, and the Ravenous Pig were not present. Luckily, there were a few new comers who were able to hold up the torch of local, delicious food like the Hamilton’s Kitchen at the Alfond Inn, which featured locally farm-raised whole roasted pig with Apopka Wild field greens tossed in oregano vinaigrette, fried mac and cheese lollipops with sweet pepper aioli, and house made ricotta cheese “Heavens to Betsy” jams on crostini – one of my favorites of the night!
Winners of the Taste of Winter Park included:
Best Entree – The Coop – Chicken Biscuits
Best Appetizer – Marlow’s Tavern – Ahi tuna poke
Best Decor / Presentation – Orchid Thai
Best Drink – Bungalow 23
Best Dessert – Cocina 214 – Tres Leches
Best Healthy Eating – Bosphorous Turkish Kitchen
Best Fresh From Florida – Hamilton’s Kitchen at Alfond Inn
Sunrail – still on practice run – officially open May 1st – first two weeks in May is free to ride!The Meat House in Winter ParkGrilled sugarcane skewered Kalbi shrimp and pineapple atop Avo Kyu roll – The Meat House in Winter ParkGrilled steak tips with wild mushroom and burgundy wine sauce – The Meat House in Winter ParkThe Meat House in Winter ParkJohn and Shirley’s Catering – chicken, yellow rice, swamp salsaMitchell’s Fish Market in Winter ParkCarrot Cake Cupcake – Mitchell’s Fish MarketSeared ahi tuna – Mitchell’s Fish MarketJohnny Mag Sax EntertainmentTolla’s Italian Deli and Cafe – Chicken touscan with pastaThe Coop – Chicken and Biscuits, pimento cheese grit squares, and cinnamon roll bread puddingChef John Rivers of The CoopABC Fine Wine and SpiritsCarmel Cafe and Wine BarBrian Waggoner – Carmel Cafe and Wine BarBraised short ribs, creamy polenta, edamame hummus w pita chips – Carmel Cafe and Wine BarOrchid Thai CuisineOrchid Thai Cuisine – Summer RollsOrchid Thai Cuisine – chicken satayOrchid Thai Cuisine – pad thai noodlesSmart Coffee HDSmart Coffee HD – Chicken and WafflesSmart Coffee HD – Tomato SoupSmart Coffee HD – Hamilicious Breakfast sandwichMiller’s Ale House – University BlvdMiller’s Ale House – University Blvd – Cajun chicken pasta and jambalayaPark Plaza Gardens – mini crab cake with spicy aioliMarlow’s Tavern – ahi tuna pokeMarlow’s Tavern – shrimp and gritsHamilton’s Kitchen at Alfond InnHamilton’s Kitchen at Alfond Inn – Whole Roast PigHamilton Kitchen’s locally farm-raised whole roasted pig with Apopka Wild field greens tossed in oregano vinaigrette, fried mac and cheese lollipops with sweet pepper aioli, and house made ricotta cheese “Heavens to Betsy” jams on crostiniHamilton’s Kitchen
Fiddler’s Green Irish PubFiddler’s Green Irish Pub – Shepherd’s Pie and Corned beef egg rollPF Chang’sPF Chang’s chicken lettuce wrapFleming’s Prime SteakhouseFleming’s Prime Steakhouse – Sliced beef tenderloin, shrimpThe Wine BarnThe Wine Barn – MargheritaThe Wine Barn – Double Diablo pizzaThe Wine Barn – wood fired ovenThe Wine Barn – wood fired ovenKilwin’s ChocolatesMellow Mushroom pizzaShula’s Steakhouse at WDW DolphinShula’s Steakhouse at WDW DolphinShula’s Steakhouse at WDW DolphinShula’s Steakhouse at WDW Dolphin – Bacon wrapped barbeque shrimp with ny strip, creamed spinachItalioItalio – shrimp alfredo basil pesto pasta, bruschetta with cannoliWhole Foods Market – Thai kale salad, guava bbq chickenSonny’s BBQSonny’s BBQSonny’s BBQ – Sliced beef brisket and redneck eggrollsTijuana FlatsTijuana Flats NorritoTibby’s New Orleans KitchenTibby’s New Orleans Kitchen – Andoille sausage jambalayaTibby’s New Orleans Kitchen – Andoille sausage jambalayaCocina 214Cocina 214 – chicken fajitasCocina 214 – Tres Leches Cake
Crispers’ Signature summer saladInside the Winter Park Farmer’s Market buildingWinter Park Chocolate – fountain with Alea Z.Bosphorous Turkish KitchenBosphorous Turkish Kitchen – White bean salad and kebabsBosphorous Turkish Kitchen – baklavaSprinkles cakesSprinkles cakes – mini pina colada cupcakesHanging out with fellow food bloggers Kelli Matheny www.ExploringOrlando.com and Lisa Wilk www.TasteCookSip.comPeterbrooke Chocolatier’s chocolate covered popcornPeterbrooke Chocolatier’s Jami Wray and staffKrispy Kreme manKrispy Kreme manSweet by HollySweet by Holly – cake pops and cupcakesBarnie’s CoffeKitchenBarnie’s CoffeKitchen Chef Camilo VelascoChef Velasco with Valencia Professor Chef Kenneth BourgoinJeremiah’s Italian IceBungalow 23 CocktailsRob Sharpstein, the Chair of the Taste of Winter Park committee, Ashley Ringler, Director of Events and Sponsorship Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, staff, and Patrick Chapin, President/CEO of Winter Park Chamber of Commerce announcing the winnersBest Entree – the CoopBest Dessert – Cocina 214Best Display – Orchid ThaiBest Healthy Eating – Bosphorous Turkish CuisineBest Fresh From Florida – Hamilton’s Kitchen at Alfond Inn
Oh my, I just realized how much I missed out on! So much good food & drinks at the Taste of Winter Park.